Smyrna times., 1887-01-19

IO.624; and as the units or city sub
divisions are wards, and the dividing
lines are streets, each and all OF which
are clearly defined and well understood,
the senatorial and representative DIS
tricts would be of easy formation.
Grouping the hundreds of New Cas-
tie county into four senatorial districts
the basis of which in accordance with
the census here given would be 8,SO9,
Brandywine and Christiana hundreds
containing a population of 1853 would
form one the hundreds of Mill Creek,
White Clay Creek and Pencader having
a population of $500 would compose
another; New Castle and Red Lion
hundreds with population of 7,748 to
constitute a third while the fourth to
embrace the hundreds of st. Georges,
Appoduinimink and Blackbird with a
population of 9,2O2. As a portion of the
tirst-named district including an ap-
proximate population of ], 900 las been
incorporated into the limits Of Will
mingtOn since the census here quoted,
the four county districts thus formed
are practically equal as to representa-
tive population, while the city repre-
increased to that extent.
By like formation of districts COM
posed of adjoining hundreds the four
subdivisions of Kent county, having a
senatorial basis of 8,219, would be COM
posed of Duck Creek, Little Creek and
KentOn hundreds, containing a pOpu-
latiOn of 1896, as the first; East and
West Dover hundreds, having a pOpu-
lation of 1893, as the second North
and South Murderkill hundreds, with a
population of 1882, to form a third
while the fourth would include the
hundreds of Milford and MispilliOn,
with a population of 1853.
In like manner the four districts Oi
Sussex county forming a contiguous
! territory and having a senatorial basis
of 9,00S would be constituted of Cedar
! Creek, Broadkiln and Georgetown
hundreds, having a population of 9,126
as one; LeWes and RehOboth, Balti-
more and Indian River hundreds, con.
tanning a population of 8,668, as an
other; the hundreds of Nanticoke
DagsbOrO, Broad Greek and Gumboro
with population of 9,414, to compose
a third while the fourth would be
formed of North West Fork, Seaford
and Little Creek hundreds, having 9
population of $50.
The senatorial districts as thus ar
ranged are now more nearly equal il
population than as given by the census
of 1880; as in all the counties the
smaller contain growing and in some
Instances manufacturing towns, while
the larger in all cases are agriculture
in character, having a less rapid devel
Opment and slower increase in pOpula
ton. Besides, the city limits of viii
mingtOn will continue to expand anC
thus absorb the disproportionate in
crease OF adjacent territory, thereby
preventing the adjoining districts from
an increase in population much in ex
cess of the county basis of representa-
ton as here stated
The above arrangement contemplate
a division Of the Stale into sixteen sen
atOrlal districts, each to have and elec
one senator and two representatives
and is susceptible of a subdivision O
each Of these into two representativ,
districts, the boundaries ofwhich woul,
be defined by law, regard being had f
preserve the equality of the population
of each. This scheme carries to log
ical result and fully exemplifes tn
principles of local self-government, an
affords the electors of each district th
most ample opportunity to choose thei
; representatives in each branch of tn
Legislature, as also the members of tn
Levy Court and such other members q
State and county Offices the duties {
which may be representative in thei
character. REFORM.
January 13, 1887.